JL ©STUDENT WELLNESS
JL ©The School District strives to make a significant contribution to the general well being, mental and physical capacity, and learning ability of each student while affording them the opportunity to fully participate in the educational process.
The District is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children's health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. Healthy eating is demonstrably linked to reduced risk for mortality and development of many chronic diseases as adults.
To ensure the health and well-being of all students, the Board shall promote and monitor student wellness in a manner that the Board determines is appropriate in the following areas:
A. Nutrition Guidelines: All foods available in each school during the day will have as a primary goal the promotion of student health and the reduction of childhood obesity. All guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, as those regulations and guidance apply to schools.
B. Nutrition Education: The goal is to influence students' eating behaviors by providing nutrition education that is appropriate for students' ages; reflects students' cultures; is integrated into health education or core curricula; and provides opportunities for students to practice skills and have fun.
C. Physical Activity/Recess: The goals for physical activity are to provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge and skills for specific physical activities, to maintain students' physical fitness, to ensure students' regular participation in physical activity, and to teach students the short- and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthful lifestyle.
"Recess," as defined in statute, means a period of time during the regular school day, including time during a scheduled lunch period, during which a pupil is able to engage in physical activity or social interaction with other pupils.
1. The District shall provide at least two (2) recess periods during the school day for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one (1) through three (3). From and after August 1, 2019, the District shall provide at least two (2) recess periods during the school day for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one (1) through five (5).
2. A school that offers a half-day kindergarten program is required to provide at least one (1) recess period during the school day for pupils in that kindergarten program.
3. The school District may count a pupil's participation in a physical education course during a school day as one (1) of that day's recess periods.
4. The District is not required to extend the school day to meet this recess requirement.
5. This recess requirement does not apply to middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, Arizona online instruction or schools in which the lowest grade of instruction offered is grade five (5).
D. Sunscreen: The goal is to emphasize skin health and promote the application of sunscreen products and to inform students that a student who attends school in this District may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-sponsored event without a note or prescription from a licensed health care professional.
E. Other School-Based Activities: The goal is to create a total school environment that is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity.
F. Evaluation/Implementation: A primary goal will be to regularly (at least annually) evaluate the effectiveness of this policy in promoting healthy eating and changing the program as appropriate to increase its effectiveness. Such evaluation will be measureable. The results of each evaluation, including the extent to which schools are in compliance with District policy, the extent to which the District policy complies with federal regulations, and a description/summary of the progress made in attaining the goals of the District, shall be made available to the public. Physical education teachers and school health professionals shall have an opportunity to participate in the evaluation and implementation of this policy.
G. Parent, Community and Staff Involvement: A primary goal will be to engage family members, students, and representatives of the school food authority, the Governing Board, school administrators, and the public in development and regular review of this school policy.
The Superintendent is directed to develop administrative regulations to implement this policy, including such provisions as may be necessary to address all food and beverages sold and/or served to students at school (i.e., competitive foods, snacks and beverages sold from vending machines, school stores, after-school programs, and funding-raising activities and refreshments that are made available at school parties, celebrations and meetings), including provisions for staff development, family and community involvement and program evaluation. The Superintendent shall institute and clearly communicate a meal charge policy to all District households and District staff responsible for policy enforcement that is consistent with aspects of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 applicable to the District. Regulations and exhibits created for the purpose of implementing this policy shall be considered, in effect, to be an extension of this policy subject to Governing Board review.
Adopted: November 20, 2018
LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-118
15-159
15-242
42 U. S. C. 1751 et seq. (National School Lunch Act)
42 U. S. C. 1771 et seq. (Child Nutrition Act)
CROSS REF.:
ABA - Community Involvement in Education
ABAA - Parental Involvement
BBA - Board Powers and Responsibilities
EF - Food Services
EFDA - Collection of Money/Food Tickets
EFE - Competitive Food Sales/Vending Machines
IA - Instructional Goals and Objectives